Tradition that goes with gifting knives?

Looking for some info here. I recently read ( and I can't recall where ), that if you get a knife as a gift, you're supposed to give something back in return. I've given knives, and been given knives, and never was a return gift ( at least as a specific response to the gifted knife ), been given. I mentioned this to my wife, and oddly enough, she had heard about this. But she also added that if a small sum of money ( she said a quarter ) was also given at the time the knife was given, the recipient was released from the obligation of the return gift.

I'm about to give a knife to a friend. Anybody got any info about this?

Thanks,
Tuckerdog1

Than

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sm

January 3, 2008, 04:42 PM

Nickel in return for a knife received keeps the blade(s) sharp and does not dull the relationship between recipient and receiver.

How I was raised down here in the South, and this Tradition is still observed, respected and passed forward.

tuckerdog1

January 3, 2008, 04:51 PM

Thanks SM,

I like that.

Tuckerdog1

wheelgunslinger

January 3, 2008, 07:41 PM

Same here. But, I was raised in the South too.

pbhome71

January 3, 2008, 07:59 PM

My dad thought me that I need a penny in return for all sharp objects as a gift.

Not sure where it came from.

Jorg Nysgerrig

January 3, 2008, 08:12 PM

This was discussed not long ago in GD: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=323117

Joe Demko

January 3, 2008, 08:15 PM

The Ukranian tradition is to give a small coin like a penny so that the knife doesn't sever the friendship.

Jason_G

January 3, 2008, 08:29 PM

The Ukranian tradition is to give a small coin like a penny so that the knife doesn't sever the friendship.
This is the same thing I've always been told. I'm not sure if region has anything to do with it, but FWIW, I'm in the deep south, and I'm not Ukranian. I am Italian though, and it was passed on in my family, so I wonder if it was a European tradition that got brought over?

Jason

Limeyfellow

January 4, 2008, 02:20 AM

The tradition is in Britain too. It is one of those weird old superstitions that no one is quite sure where it comes from, but it most likely Roman or some such, as part of a pagan tradition that has passed through the generations.

earthworm

January 4, 2008, 04:15 AM

In many Native American traditions it is perfectly acceptable to gift a knife or other sharp/pointy/bladed item (ax,spear,etc) without the return of a coin,etc.The idea being the recipient is going on a journey (physical or spiritual) & this is a gift of equipment for that journey.
Another tradition (not sure of the origin or what cultures) is to "loan" the person a knife or other item for the journey;the idea being that the traveler must return to "return" the item.

Rexster

January 4, 2008, 01:46 PM

Whoever wrote the screenplay for "The Edge" knew of this tradition or superstition; IIRC, any coin will do.

Limeyfellow

January 5, 2008, 12:52 AM

In many Native American traditions it is perfectly acceptable to gift a knife or other sharp/pointy/bladed item (ax,spear,etc) without the return of a coin,etc.

Of course that may have to do with there being no coinage in traditional Native American society. The use of coinage really wasn't in effect in the tribes till late into the second half of the 19th century.

Slugless

January 5, 2008, 01:31 AM

"The Legend of the Penny and the Knife"

"In ancient times it was the custom when giving the gift of a knife to accompany it with a "coin of the realm", usually a penny. This was to denote a gift of peace and was alleged to prevent the "cutting" of a friendship. It is in this spirit that we look forward to a friendly and mutually successful association with you. -Eli Lilly & Co."

A little box with a small pocket knife and a little piece of paper with a penny glued onto it and inscribed with the above was in my father's effects. A drug company representative must have given it to him. It was a nice little knife, too. I wonder where I put it.

*And you, SM, if you're reading this - you have only yourself to blame for the new Case Peanut with the CV steel I got for Xmas! Thanks for your postings on that! I didn't get a penny with it though...it was from my brother in law. :uhoh:

sm

January 5, 2008, 01:43 AM

Slugless,

Congrats on the new Peanut!

My role in life isto stay in trouble, and get blamed for things.
Along the way - somehow I am supposed to pass forward stuff.
Sometimes I actually pass on something good!
*Grin*

So you get a new knife = Good
I share how hard-boiled eggs give dawgs nasty farts to a kid and while my take, this is a positive life lesson to share with a kid, a mom over ruled and said
"whew! bad dawg"

At the moment I am "even" , I still have 30 minutes before midnight, odds are I can turn the corner and end up with 1 Good and 2 Bad.

*Grin*

Right about now a parent should be arriving home and discover kiddo got a new knife today...
When he reaches into the cookie jar, he will find his wife snagged that $20 for the kid as the Knife was "On Sale".

A Nickel is taped to a card on the counter with "Thanks Dad!"

See? I do come in handy - sometimes.

*wink*

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